I was reading an interesting article about the efficacy of cheap natural cosmetics. I have to say I have come across several examples lately so I decided it is time to write about affordable natural skincare. As a natural and organic cosmetic formulator i’m really surprised when I come across these products and I wonder how it is possible when natural and organic ingredients are so expensive? After having come across a few examples I have come up with a list of categories for you to be aware of:
Cheap affordable natural cosmetics
These are cosmetics that contain cheap natural ingredients as main component such as sunflower oil (healianthus annuus), cetyl alcohol and petrochemical preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol and so on
Here is an example of a cheap moisturiser retailing at just over £6:
Aqua, Aloe Vera, Helianthus Annus, Cetearyl Alcohol (Vegetable Emulsifying Wax) , Prunus Amygdalus, Glycerin, Cera Alba, Rosa Centifolia, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
In the example above there is an exception with the rosa centifolia, which is a very expensive ingredient. It makes me wonder if it is a genuine ingredient or not
The product above also contains a couple of petrochemicals, dehydroacetic acid and benzyl alcohol
Greenwash affordable natural cosmetics
There are many brands and products calling themselves natural and with a low price tag, mainly based on using cheap petrochemicals and silicones. Here is an example below:
Aqua/Water/Eau (Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Mel (Honey Extract), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower), Xanthan Gum, Parfum/Fragrance, Polyacrylamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ceteareth 33, Alcohol Denatured, Laureth 7, Benzonic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxyisohexl 3 Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool, Citronellol, Butylphenyl Methlyproprional, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Geraniol
Despite these examples I have to say that relying purely on price to spot a genuine natural and effective natural cosmetic is not enough. Reading the ingredients list or relying on somebody that does for you is the best way to go…
If you come across affordable natural skincare please feel free to drop me a line with the ingredients list…
